LIB DEMS REVEAL SNP'S COMPLACENCY ABOUT LOCAL FOOD

2.14.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 28th Apr 2009

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland and Environment spokesperson, has revealed disappointing complacency from the SNP about public sector support for local food suppliers and farmers.

Despite cross party support for changing public procurement rules to favour local suppliers, answers to Parliamentary Questions lodged by Mr Hume show that the Government has taken no steps to achieve this, aside from changing the Government's catering contract.

Commenting, Mr Hume said:

"The SNP have done nothing but tinker around the edges.

"In opposition the Rural Affairs Secretary called for "rapid action", and promised to look at changing public contracts. But almost half way through the SNP's term of office nothing has been changed, apart from the Government's own catering contract.

"Although it's good that the shortbread for Ministers' meetings is now local shortbread, it simply doesn't go far enough.

"If the Rural Affairs Secretary is serious about supporting the Scottish food industry, then he needs to go further than posing with haggis and a dram.

"Changes must be made to public procurement rules to make sure that the public sector leads by example when it comes to buying local."

Ends.